Resurrection Life Changes Everything

There are so many things that rejuvenate us… taking a walk on a nice spring morning, the birds are chirping, the sun’s beginning to rise, the air is clean and life is oh so good.

Living life to the fullest is highly recommended but living that resurrection life that Jesus invites us to live is so much bigger and better.

Our circumstances, our stories, our setbacks, our status, our finances can never prevent us from living that resurrection life because the world can’t give it to us and the world can’t take it away.

In this world we will face tragedy, loss, and pain. Jesus walked through those very things throughout his life here on earth and after Jesus was crucified everyone felt that all hope had vanished.

So many people were shocked to see the awful day where Jesus was arrested, crucified and then buried in a tomb. All there hopes were dashed on the ground and shattered in a million pieces. They had so many questions that simply couldn’t be answered in this moment. They just had to live their life the only way they knew before Jesus.

But aren’t you glad that’s not the end of the story. The end wasn’t Jesus dead in a grave because today we celebrate the resurrection.

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we are invited to live in the reality of that victory, embracing a new life that impacts ourselves and those around us.

In Luke 24 we see the resurrection of Jesus through the lens of the women who loved Jesus. It’s was the women who went to the tomb. The surprise, the amazement, the awe of seeing an empty tomb, and the announcement from angels saying that Jesus is not here, HE IS ALIVE!

Luke 24:1–12 ESV

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

PRAY

The women discover the empty tomb of Jesus, receiving the message of His resurrection from angels. This event marks the pivotal moment of hope and transformation for believers, signifying the defeat of death and the promise of new life through Christ.

Because of the Christ’s resurrection, as believers we can live victoriously despite circumstances. When we embrace the truth of the resurrection, we find strength to overcome fear, despair, and uncertainty, enabling us to live boldly and to share this transformative hope with others.

We see here that the resurrection is not just a historical event but a present reality that empowers followers of Christ to lead transformed lives, grounded in hope and purpose. It emphasizes how this resurrection life calls us to actively participate in God's mission, spreading light in a world of darkness.

Christ's resurrection fulfills Old Testament prophecies and demonstrates His power over sin and death, embodying the new creation and offering eternal life to all who believe. It's the centerpiece of our Christian faith and the assurance of our future resurrection.

As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we are invited to live in the reality of that victory, embracing a new life that impacts ourselves and those around us.

As we look at our passage this morning and we highlight the the women. The first to see evidence of the resurrection. Notice that it’s the women who were the first.

Women in those days were beneath the men but as we examine the resurrection of Jesus this fine Easter morning, the women received the most important information in history. Jesus is alive!

1. Unexpected Discovery at the Tomb

Luke 24:1–3 NLT

1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus.

The Sabbath had ended at sunset on Saturday, so the women ventured out at first light on Sunday morning. They brought spices to the tomb, just as people today would bring flowers—as a sign of love and respect.

The stone had been rolled back, and the women went in expecting to accomplish their task with the spices. Many tombs were large enough to walk into, so these women went into the tomb, but they couldn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. Of course, the body was not there because Jesus had been raised, just as he said. But Jesus’ followers did not expect this at this time. They had been told at least three times, but they had not come to truly believe.

The stone was not rolled away so that Jesus could get out, for he was already gone. It was rolled aside so others could get in and see for themselves that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, just as he had said he would.

Think about the initial discovery of the empty tomb. These women were challenged to examine their own expectations of God's power. The women came to the tomb expecting death but found life.

Are there areas where we have given up hope?

Because of Jesus' resurrection we can now have a renewed faith and anticipation of God's active presence in our lives. As believers in the resurrection of Jesus we can now expect the unexpected with God. We can now release our transforming despair into a living hope.

2. Heavenly Reminder of Promise

Luke 24:4–8 NLT

4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” 8 Then they remembered that he had said this.

We all need a reminder because sometimes we forget things.

These women received an angelic reminder that Jesus said these words… HE said it many times to HIS disciples and to the women. This wasn’t some sort of detour that Jesus took last minute. This wasn’t a surprise ending or some plot twist with Jesus…

Jesus said this over and over again but they didn’t want to hear the death part of Jesus. Without the death, there would be no resurrection.

Jesus did what he said he would do.

“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?”

This reminder serves as a vital lesson for us today: in moments of confusion or doubt, God's Word provides clarity and foundation. That’s why we must regularly engage with Scripture and allow God’s truth to reinforce our faith in the resurrected Christ who fulfills His promises.

Scripture as an anchor in our resurrection faith, providing guidance and assurance that God will do what HE said HE will do.

Ww now have a Heavenly Reminder of Promise

3. Bold Proclamation of Truth

Luke 24:9–12 NLT

9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12 However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

There are many people do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus. There will be skeptics, doubters, but don’t let those people discourage you. It’s their word against God’s Word… I’ll take God’s Word any day!

This was even the apostles were saying that the story that theses women were sharing was a bunch of nonsense.

Theses women were the first evangelists in history. All they did was share the story that they saw and experienced themselves.

What’s your story? How has Jesus revealed HIMSELF to you?

The Good news of the resurrection of Jesus is too important not to share. Even in the face of disbelief and skepticism—as demonstrated by the apostles. Yet they still shared about the resurrection of Jesus.

Let me encourage you as believers, to share your testimony boldly, even in the face of doubt and skepticism, trusting in the truth of Christ's resurrection will change everything.

Proclaiming the resurrection is part of our mission as followers of Jesus. Inviting others to encounter the reality of the risen Christ is too important not to share.

The other apostles simply wrote off what the women were sharing however, Peter didn’t. Peter checked it out for himself.

Just like Peter, we are called to investigate and experience this truth personally. It’s so important to note that everyone has to make a decision to follow Jesus. We must respond with faith and action so that real life transformation can begin.

We have to taste and see that the Lord is Good. We have to know and receive the resurrection power of Jesus personally. Look at the evidence and come to your own conclusion personally.

As believers we are all called to present a Bold Proclamation of Truth regarding the resurrection of Jesus. Whether it’s received or not is not our concern. Jesus saves, we don’t… we are called to live out that resurrection life that only Jesus can give us.

Take Away:

Maybe you are looking at your life and all you see is pain and death.

Jesus is present with you and it’s HIS resurrection power that will give you the power to overcome death.

“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?”

It’s more then just Resurrection Sunday that we celebrate, it’s the resurrection life that Jesus made possible. Once we receive HIS Resurrection life HE changes everything.